Sorry janetpr, but I think your recommendation is careless and based on old school thinking of RSD- now actually referred to as CRPS- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Although nowhere have I ever seen recommended to "expose yourself to the pain intentionally". That's a new one.
Most of us who have been coping with CRPS for a while now (I have had it 8 years now) have heard it all. Especially experienced at some doctors still of the mindset that CRPS is Psychological disorder brought on by the person themselves. The most comprehensive study and informative site that I have come upon recently is that of Sean Mackey, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Anesthesiology at Stanford University Published on Mar. 19, 2013. Unfortunately, because I am new to this site it will not allow me to input the URL, however I am sure you can find the YouTube "Treatment and Research: What's New?"
I consider myself fairly lucky, in that it only took 9 months to be diagnosed. However, unlucky in that my family physician took way to long to refer me to the Orthopaedic Surgeon who diagnosed me. You see the first 3 months are key to possibly being cured of the condition.
I was then referred on to an Anesthesiologist to have many, many nerve blocks, which for myself, only served to "numb" the pain until the block wore off. I also was on multiple medications including gabapentin & hydromorphone which did not agree with me. I did get into a trial for ketamine infusions over the period of 5 days, which I had great hopes for, however it did not have any affect on me. I most recently "applied" for the Spinal Cord Stimulation "SCS" surgery, which although only 50% success rate, I may be one of the "successful" 50%!! Unfortunately, due to having a Head Director of the Pain Centre who was one of those doctors that has not kept up to the "validation" of CRPS/RSD. refused my diagnosis of CRPS (even though my CRPS diagnosis had been validated by many doctors including Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, Anesthesiologists, & the original Orthopaedic Surgeon). She did agree that I had some kind of neuropathic condition, but then booted me out of the Pain Centre with no diagnosis. Hardly acceptable being that I am from Canada & the Hospital is the only one offering this type of treatment! I am in the midst of filing a complaint...however it most likely will have no implications, & not just because the Director just retired from the hospital.
I am currently managing my pain (which is in my left leg up to my hip & my right to my knee- beyond my knee I have Meralgia Paresthetica) with Hydromorph Contin 1200MGs/day, Cymbalta 120MG/day, Lyrica 600MG/day, Fentanyl 50MCG (patch) every other day, hydromorphone 8MG- max 10/day & Quinine Sulfate 200MG. I do have more but they are for managing most of the side effects. I also suffer from migraines which I take Cambia for.
Last year when they had me take an MRI in preparation for the SCS surgery they found two very large cysts on my ovaries which they originally did nothing for until I ended up in the Emergency Department by ambulance at 3 a.m. with ovarian torsion! But because I already had children & a hysterectomy they decided not to perform surgery. They are now just managing with Visanne.
Due to all of the dry mouth caused by the medications I just had to have oral surgery and have 14 teeth removed, Now I have dentures!!!!
Finally to add insult to injury, my husband who has been my primary care giver for the past 8 years ended up in the hospital in pain two weeks ago. After some blood work, a CT scan and a colonoscopy we found out he has colon and bile duct cancer!! I am fear that they have not caught it early enough...my husband is very jaundice and in a whole lot of pain. It took two weeks to get an appointment date for the Oncologist-Radiology which is tomorrow afternoon. Another one is with the Surgical Oncologist I believe.
I really don't know how much more I can take. I have almost ended my life several times, as I cannot see continuing to live with this pain for the rest of my "natural" life. Now I am so conflicted,,, I need to be here for him, however I am not much use...We are not much use to each other at this point.
Regardless, I hope the information I have provided regarding CRPS helps someone. Just don't take the diagnosis "It's all in your head" and please, please do not inflict pain intentionally upon yourself!! Good Luck!